Hi everyone! I am 2.5 years post sleeve surgery my highest weight was about 380lb and I have been fluctuating between 188-198 lb the last year. Old habits are creeping in and my surgeon has placed me on a new diet to try and reach the 180 lb goal she set for me. It is embarrassing to say I am that close but yet so far away. I find the old habits creeping in whether its dessert after dinner like the kids have, or sneaking a sweet at the store. I should be consuming 3 protein bars per day, dinner around 6p and a Greek yogurt at 9p before I leave for my night shift. I have always struggled with water intake and get about 50 oz. Of overall liquids per day normally coffee, tea, vitamin water zero, and water with crystal light. I work 72 hrs per week and attend nursing school so I am beyond busy and never stick to an exercise regimen because I am so tired. I could spit out many excuses but I blame myself for the poor eating choices. I have found since about 18 months post OP I have excessive hunger that no matter what I do I feel starving even 15 min after dinner. I drink water and it never satisfies the feeling of hunger. I am going back to see the surgeon again next week, but I just feel so overwhelmed and disappointed in why I am steering off my weight loss path. Any ideas of how to get back on track and get rid of this hunger?

Thanks everyone.

BTW? I would be a starving hot mess if my doc put me on protein bars and shakes! I'd also have RH out the ass!

On 2/10/2019 at 11:11 AM, EmilyJune said:

Thanks.. it is the old habits that creep back in. It is easier to grab crackers versus grilling chicken and veggies when your hungry between meals. I know the mistakes I am making it is just very hard to mentally stick with it. I know I will fail if I keep it up down this path, but every day i keep saying i will get back on track tomorrow, but tomorrow never comes. I will start measuring out my meals again and increase Water and exercise are my goals to resort back to.. thanks again!

It sounds to me like you know exactly what to do and exactly where you're going wrong, but you haven't gotten up the will power yet to put words to action. FluffyChix gave a very good pep talk though!!! I think when you're ready to get back on the healthy eating train, you just have to do it--then and there. It can't an "I'll start tomorrow or next monday" sort of thing. Get the crap food that is sabotaging you out of the house so it won't tempt you. As for the kids, why do they need to have a sugary desert with every dinner? That can't good for them either. Why not substitute strawberries, blueberries etc. instead. None of us needs to be eating processed foods and sugar. Ultimately, it comes down to the choices you are making. It sounds like you have been doing really well, but just have been backsliding a little--and are afraid that a little could become a lot. If you feel that way, now is the time to put the brakes on this behavior and start treating your body the way you did in the months after your surgery.

24 minutes ago, SteveT74 said:

It sounds to me like you know exactly what to do and exactly where you're going wrong, but you haven't gotten up the will power yet to put words to action. FluffyChix gave a very good pep talk though!!! I think when you're ready to get back on the healthy eating train, you just have to do it--then and there. It can't an "I'll start tomorrow or next monday" sort of thing. Get the crap food that is sabotaging you out of the house so it won't tempt you. As for the kids, why do they need to have a sugary desert with every dinner? That can't good for them either. Why not substitute strawberries, blueberries etc. instead. None of us needs to be eating processed foods and sugar. Ultimately, it comes down to the choices you are making. It sounds like you have been doing really well, but just have been backsliding a little--and are afraid that a little could become a lot. If you feel that way, now is the time to put the brakes on this behavior and start treating your body the way you did in the months after your surgery.

Thanks I started yesterday by completing 5 miles running and walking and cut 500 cal down which I was pretty hungry when I went to bed but water helped a bit. I need to get back on the determined mental train like I was post surgery. Thanks for the support.

1 hour ago, FluffyChix said:

BTW? I would be a starving hot mess if my doc put me on Protein Bars and shakes! I'd also have RH out the ass!

Yes she told me to eat a fit crunch bar at 11a, 1p, 4p. Dinner at 7 and Greek yogurt at 9 before my night shift because I am always hungry at night. I hope she will see it just makes me crave sweets more and cut them out because they are expensive and not helping my weight loss at all.

1 hour ago, FluffyChix said:

BTW? I would be a starving hot mess if my doc put me on Protein Bars and shakes! I'd also have RH out the ass!

As a nurse practitioner I know first hand how difficult and stressful nursing school is without adding a horrific work schedule, kids and WLS in the mix. Sounds to me like you are overwhelmed by everything and cooking is too much for you. Have you tried cooking healthy foods for yourself and having them ready to heat up? I have to say I also have children and I just had to change the types of food that are in the house. If it’s something I just can’t resist or had to be frozen or refrigerated it’s not allowed in the house. I let them keep snacks upstairs because I am an out of sight out of mind kind of person. But there have been a few things (like donuts) that I would go seek them out so I banned them from the house. It took me so long to get over the guilt, thinking they shouldn’t be deprived and I should have the willpower to resist but the truth is I don’t have the will power and they are surviving just fine without the junk food. I figure my husband can go get it and eat it out of the house if they really want ice cream or something like that. I wish you luck and good luck with nursing school!!!

19 minutes ago, 49Nash said:

As a nurse practitioner I know first hand how difficult and stressful nursing school is without adding a horrific work schedule, kids and WLS in the mix. Sounds to me like you are overwhelmed by everything and cooking is too much for you. Have you tried cooking healthy foods for yourself and having them ready to heat up? I have to say I also have children and I just had to change the types of food that are in the house. If it’s something I just can’t resist or had to be frozen or refrigerated it’s not allowed in the house. I let them keep Snacks upstairs because I am an out of sight out of mind kind of person. But there have been a few things (like donuts) that I would go seek them out so I banned them from the house. It took me so long to get over the guilt, thinking they shouldn’t be deprived and I should have the willpower to resist but the truth is I don’t have the will power and they are surviving just fine without the junk food. I figure my husband can go get it and eat it out of the house if they really want ice cream or something like that. I wish you luck and good luck with nursing school!!!

Thank you. Yes I believe it's the stress of school and working 72 hours per week and being miserable in my every day life as far as my relationship and with food. My kids are the Elmer's glue within my life and I do it all for them. I know my weaknesses are seeing my cravings and just wanting a piece but that never lasts. For awhile I would eat a piece of chocolate then feel so guilty I would hit the treadmill for miles as if it didn't happen. I know I have to make tons of chicken and hard boiled eggs for quick protein rich snacks and meals I just find every excuse as to how tired I am to pry my behind off the couch the measly 5 hours I am home per day because my kids strive for every bit of my attention for homework and play time. I plan to use my 2 days off per week to get meals made and prepped and exercise at least 4 days a week and of course not touch anything that is out of my diet plan. Thanks so much for the understanding and support.

You should just pay the extra money and keep store roasted chicken and precooked hard boiled eggs in the house. Then you know you don’t have to do anything. You deserve the extra luxury with all the work you are doing. A lot of times Costco has precooked chicken legs/thighs that are dirt cheap

Here's a great old thread with lots of practical ideas for low/no cooking meals on those days when you have no time to cook or meal prep!

Wow thanks for the great ideas. I do cook dinner every night and never serve myself any carbs it is normally protein and veggies or a salad. I struggle most with my time between jobs 2p and 8p. I have set some small goals to exercise within that time, spend active time with my kids which we swim at the Y and I am now meal prepping tons of chicken with dinner tonight. I have faith in myself and hope I can keep my determination going. Thanks guys!

2 hours ago, EmilyJune said:

Yes she told me to eat a fit crunch bar at 11a, 1p, 4p. dinner at 7 and Greek yogurt at 9 before my night shift because I am always hungry at night. I hope she will see it just makes me crave sweets more and cut them out because they are expensive and not helping my weight loss at all.

Honestly, get a different nut. This is lousy advice since it relies on eating processed crap bars loaded with chemicals 4 times a day as meal substitutes. While you may lose some weight in the short term, her recommendation will cause you to have insulin spikes which screw up your metabolism and cause you to gain weight in the long term. You need to get on a lifestyle plan you can live with long term and you are already getting the exercise up. I like the keto lifestyle personally, but it's not for everyone. Nevertheless, every major diet/lifestyle plan and common sense suggests you should be cutting out all processed foods, sugar foods and anything that even remote sounds like it was developed in laboratory in favor of a clean, whole foods type diet. Protein drinks and protein bars are ok if you can only eat 500 calories a day and had to hit your protein goals. It's not ok 2.5 years post op when you can get most of your nutritional needs from the food you eat. Anyway, I think you know what you need to do and you're now doing it!!

I need help! I am out 4 years now, went back to the doctor yesterday after 3 years. I too am struggling with my eating habits. Since my last weigh in with him I only gained 1 lb in 3 years, but by my records I am up 15 lbs and don't want to get back where I was. Any suggestions on what I should try eating, he put me on a 50 gram carbs and the rest is protein. I don't see the nut until 04/22/19 right before my knee replacement, so I want to see if I can take off the 15 prior to that.

Edited April 4, 20197 yr by tlemieux220

You have seemed to do a wonderful job thus far in your journey and kudos to you for recognizing that you are sliding down a slippery slope. If old habits are creeping in you should ask yourself why. Seems like they need to be assessed and then Addressed. They stapled your stomach not your brain. Therapy or work with a specialist on food addiction may be helpful for you.

With your work schedule and school schedule you probably have a lot of stress. Stress produces stress hormones. I've subscribed to Dr. Bergs youtube channel. He teaches a-lot about how to reduce stress:

He also has a lot of other videos on how to reduce cravings for sweets. I have found him helpful with my head hunger.

Good luck to you.

On 2/11/2019 at 1:18 PM, EmilyJune said:

Thank you. Yes I believe it's the stress of school and working 72 hours per week and being miserable in my every day life as far as my relationship and with food. My kids are the Elmer's glue within my life and I do it all for them. I know my weaknesses are seeing my cravings and just wanting a piece but that never lasts. For awhile I would eat a piece of chocolate then feel so guilty I would hit the treadmill for miles as if it didn't happen. I know I have to make tons of chicken and hard boiled eggs for quick Protein rich Snacks and meals I just find every excuse as to how tired I am to pry my behind off the couch the measly 5 hours I am home per day because my kids strive for every bit of my attention for homework and play time. I plan to use my 2 days off per week to get meals made and prepped and exercise at least 4 days a week and of course not touch anything that is out of my diet plan. Thanks so much for the understanding and support.

My kids are my glue too. They also really want me to succeed. I have made them part of my team. My kids pack me serving size bags of nuts and meats. (they actually enjoy weighing the servings and finding new sources of protein for me) My son also makes egg cups that I can grab and take with me. We no longer keep ice cream and cookies in the house. These are now considered special treats and if they want them, we go out and they get a single serving. This keeps me from being able to go grab it whenever I want.

3 hours ago, tlemieux220 said:

I need help! I am out 4 years now, went back to the doctor yesterday after 3 years. I too am struggling with my eating habits. Since my last weigh in with him I only gained 1 lb in 3 years, but by my records I am up 15 lbs and don't want to get back where I was. Any suggestions on what I should try eating, he put me on a 50 gram carbs and the rest is Protein. I don't see the nut until 04/22/19 right before my knee replacement, so I want to see if I can take off the 15 prior to that.

Congrats on 4 years out.

A fifteen-pound gain is manageable to work back down. Is it realistic for you to lose fifteen pounds by 4/22/19?

If you are having mobility issues with your knee, diet will be key to get the weight off. What you should eat? What is your (real food stage) plan they gave you after surgery?

Protein, veggies, small amount of fruit, and low carb (carbs plant based and low glycemic) Log your food in MyFitnessPal or baritastic app. Stay within your weight loss calories, Protein 60 to 100 grams and carbs 50 grams.

My dieticians website for food ideas (make sure it fits you plan, calories and macros)

https://karenmangum.com/recipes/bariatric-friendly-recipes/

https://karenmangum.com/category/bariatric-friendly-main-dishes/

https://karenmangum.com/category/bariatric-friendly-salads/

https://karenmangum.com/category/bariatric-friendly-snacks/

• Get temptation out of the house
• Detox off processed carbs and sugar. They will make you crave them more and cause hunger
• Eat dense protein and as much veggies as you like until full.
• Keep health sweet and salty option foods on hand for cravings